By John Thornhill in Paris December 16 2004 20:16
Jacques Chirac, France's president, was fiercely criticised by his own supporters on Thursday after he reiterated his strong support for Turkey's entry to the European Union.
Several politicians also warned that the domestic row over Turkey could jeopardise the chances of France approving the EU's constitution in next year's referendum. Each EU member state must approve the constitution before it can come into force.
On Wednesday night, Mr Chirac gave a rare television interview explaining why he supported Turkey's bid. He said it was vital to pull Turkey towards democracy, stability and prosperity in Europe. The EU should encourage Turkey to join the 25-member organisation so long as it fulfilled the necessary conditions and promised a referendum on Turkey's membership when it is on the verge of joining, probably in 10 to 20 years' time.
The French president also rejected the idea of offering Turkey a "privileged partnership" with the EU, suggesting it would be demeaning for such an important country.
Members of Mr Chirac's UMP party, who have supported the idea of just such a "privileged partnership", yesterday reacted with dismay to the president's stance. Some observers suggested his position could also cloud any plans he still had of seeking a third presidential term in 2007.
Alain Madelin, a former government minister and UMP deputy, said he deplored the president's failure to take account of "any democratic debate, or any vote". He said it was incredible for the president to take such a momentous decision on his own personal initiative and only allow voters to have a say in a referendum in many years' time.
Nicolas Sarkozy, UMP party president and potential rival for the French presidency in 2007, said Mr Chirac created an "incontestable difficulty" given that 72 per cent of party members were opposed to Turkey's entry. Mr Sarkozy, speaking in Israel just before Mr Chirac's interview, said Turkey's accession would dilute the EU's effectiveness. "The more numerous we are, the less integrated we become. Mr The less integrated we are, the weaker we become."
But Mr Chirac did receive some support on Thursday from an unlikely quarter: the leadership of the opposition socialists. "Jacques Chirac has had the merit of being clear, that's to say that he has come round to the position of the European Commission and the position of the Socialist party as well," said Ségolène Royal, a prominent Socialist leader.
But even the Socialist party has its divisions on the Turkey issue. Robert Badinter, a Socialist senator, denounced Mr Chirac's "capitulation" to Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish prime minister, over Cyprus and the recognition of the Armenian genocide. "Everything that displeased Mr Erdogan has been withdrawn at the start of the negotiation. That is called a capitulation before even embarking on a negotiation," he told French TV.
